The Bay of Plenty Regional Council in New Zealand has initiated public consultation on drafts for the Tauranga Geothermal System Management Plan and a wider regional geothermal plan change. The horticultural sector, led by Horticulture New Zealand, raises concerns over increased regulatory burdens, highlighting the existing "high levels" of compliance faced by growers. These regulations focus on the use of geothermal water, spanning over 60km from Katikati-Waihī Beach to Te Puke-Maketū, primarily used for irrigation and frost protection in orchards and vegetable farming.
Horticulture New Zealand emphasizes the need for the council to balance compliance burdens with efficient resource usage. In their submission, the organization points out the necessity of clear guidance on defining efficiency, emphasizing minimal consulting costs for growers. They stress the importance of utilizing geothermal water within sustainable limits, given its role in supporting the substantial local kiwifruit and avocado export industries.
The submission receives backing from key industry organizations, including NZ Avocado, NZ Kiwifruit Growers Inc., Tomatoes NZ, and Vegetables NZ Inc. Further input from stakeholders includes Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketu, Forest & Bird, GeoExchange, Ngā Pōtiki, and Waikato Regional Council. Ngāti Whakaue pushes for a process integrated with iwi, expressing displeasure at being treated as "just another stakeholder." They assert customary ownership of geothermal resources beneath Maketu.
Ngā Pōtiki calls for comprehensive engagement and recognition of cultural wellbeing. GeoExchange highlights the need to balance geothermal water use with productive land use, recognizing the council's challenge in managing competing values. Forest & Bird seeks more information on alternative water sources to replace geothermal water for irrigation.
The regional council's Strategy and Policy Committee acknowledges the feedback may not "capture the extent of interest" from stakeholders, especially iwi, hapū, and trusts. Toi Kai Rawa, a Māori economic development agency, aids in identifying values and constraints for Māori usage of low-temperature geothermal water.
Further work on management and operational protocols will precede another draft proposal for the Tauranga System. Namouta Poutasi, the council's general manager of strategy and science, confirms no immediate impact on current consents and emphasizes sustainable system-wide usage. The Tauranga system shows 73 consents for irrigation and frost protection, with the remainder focused on heating applications.
Source: SunLive
